Steffes inducted into the North Dakota Business Hall of Fame
On June 16, 2026, Steffes was inducted into the Built on Grit™: North Dakota Business Hall of Fame during a ceremony held at the Schafer Heritage Center in Medora, North Dakota. Steffes Founder Paul Steffes and his wife, Laurie, attended the event in person to accept the honor.
Built on Grit™ was established by Dakota Business Lending, a financing partner that has provided business financing solutions throughout North Dakota for more than 40 years. In partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, the interactive exhibit was created to celebrate the people, businesses, and stories that have helped shape North Dakota’s legacy of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurship.
Steffes is honored to be recognized among the inaugural class of 17 inductees and proud to be part of North Dakota’s rich business history.
Reflecting on the recognition, Paul Steffes shared his gratitude for the honor.
“Laurie and I are very appreciative. It feels great to be recognized as part of the inaugural class and we were glad to be there in person,” said Paul.
He also spoke about the entrepreneurial mindset that has guided Steffes since its founding. “There’s never a sense that we’ve reached the endpoint or achieved the final goal,” he said. “Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. You must be willing to accept both minor and major failures and be comfortable living in a world of ambiguity. That’s part of the journey.”
For more than five decades, Steffes has remained committed to innovation, growth, and creating opportunities for its employees, customers, and communities. This induction serves as a testament to the company’s enduring impact on North Dakota’s business landscape.
